€26m set aside to help reopen tourism sector

TOURISM businesses hit by the pandemic were given a €26million lifeline yesterday to help them adapt for reopening.

Tourism Minister Catherine Martin launched the Covid-19 Adaptation Fund to help tourism and hospitality firms offset some of the costs for barriers and protective screens, the development of outdoor areas, personal protective equipment and sanitisers.

Ms Martin said: ‘This investment of €26million is another key action the Government has taken to support and sustain the tourism sector at this critical time.

‘The fund will help eligible businesses to offset some of the costs required in adapting premises and operations in line with Fáilte Ireland reopening guidelines, and applications are now open.’

The National Tourism Development Authority estimates there are around 12,000 businesses eligible to apply for funding, making it the largest fund, in terms of the number of businesses, ever administered by Fáilte Ireland.

The financial support is part of the Government’s July Jobs Stimulus Package.

Paul Kelly, head of Fáilte Ireland which is in charge of administering the funds, said: ‘We have taken this three-step approach to give tourism and hospitality businesses the guidance and support they need to reopen and reassure their customers that it is safe to visit their businesses.

‘The tourism industry is at the core of our economy, supporting regional development and job creation in communities across the country.’

Mr Kelly continued: ‘Following an independent assessment of the potential costs of implementing Fáilte Ireland’s guidelines for reopening, a sliding scale was developed to ensure a proportionate grant amount was allocated to different types of businesses. We estimate that 12,000 businesses will be eligible to apply – making it the largest ever fund that we have administered to date.’

Eligible businesses can apply for the Covid-19 Adaptation Fund up until October 8.

12,000 companies eligible to apply